Jig (tool)
Encyclopedia
In metalworking
and woodworking
, a jig is a type of tool
used to control the location and/or motion of another tool. A jig's primary purpose is to provide repeatability
, accuracy, and interchangeability
in the manufacturing
of products. A jig is often confused with a fixture
; a fixture holds the work in a fixed location. A device that does both functions (holding the work and guiding a tool) is called a jig.
An example of a jig is when a key is duplicated, the original is used as a jig so the new key can have the same path as the old one. Since the advent of automation
and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines, jigs are often not required because the tool path is digitally programmed and stored in memory. Jigs may be made for reforming plastics.
Jigs or templates have been known long before the industrial age. There are many types of jigs, and each one is custom-tailored to do a specific job. Many jigs are created because there is a necessity to do so by the tradesmen. Some are to increase productivity, to do repetitious activities and to do a job more precisely.
Some types of jigs are also called template
s or guides. Jigs include machining jigs, woodworking jigs (e.g. tapering jig
), welders' jigs, jewelers' jig
s, and many others.
by acting as a template to guide the twist drill or other boring device into the precise location of each intended hole center. In metalworking practice, typically a hardened drill bushing
lines each hole on the jig plate to keep the tool from damaging the jig.
Drill jigs started falling into disuse with the invention of the jig borer
.
Since the widespread penetration of the manufacturing industry by CNC machine tool
s, in which servo
controls are capable of moving the tool to the correct location automatically, the need for drill jigs (and for the jobs of the drill press operators who used them) is much less than it previously was.
Different types of Drill jigs:
(PCB) jigs are used to test PCBs. They have a dump board inside the jig which can find fault in the PCBs.
Metalworking
Metalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
and woodworking
Woodworking
Woodworking is the process of building, making or carving something using wood.-History:Along with stone, mud, and animal parts, wood was one of the first materials worked by early humans. Microwear analysis of the Mousterian stone tools used by the Neanderthals show that many were used to work wood...
, a jig is a type of tool
Tool
A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...
used to control the location and/or motion of another tool. A jig's primary purpose is to provide repeatability
Repeatability
Repeatability or test-retest reliability is the variation in measurements if they would have been taken by a single person or instrument on the same item and under the same conditions. A less-than-perfect test-retest reliability causes test-retest variability. Such variability can be caused by, for...
, accuracy, and interchangeability
Interchangeability
Interchangeability can refer to:*Interchangeability : A condition in which exist two or more items with characteristics making them equivalent in performance and durability, making them fully exchangeable....
in the manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
of products. A jig is often confused with a fixture
Fixture (tool)
A fixture is a work-holding or support device used in the manufacturing industry. What makes a fixture unique is that each one is built to fit a particular part or shape. The main purpose of a fixture is to locate and in some cases hold a workpiece during either a machining operation or some...
; a fixture holds the work in a fixed location. A device that does both functions (holding the work and guiding a tool) is called a jig.
An example of a jig is when a key is duplicated, the original is used as a jig so the new key can have the same path as the old one. Since the advent of automation
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
and computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines, jigs are often not required because the tool path is digitally programmed and stored in memory. Jigs may be made for reforming plastics.
Jigs or templates have been known long before the industrial age. There are many types of jigs, and each one is custom-tailored to do a specific job. Many jigs are created because there is a necessity to do so by the tradesmen. Some are to increase productivity, to do repetitious activities and to do a job more precisely.
Some types of jigs are also called template
Template
Template may mean:*a stencil, pattern or overlay used in graphic arts and sewing to replicate letters, shapes or designs...
s or guides. Jigs include machining jigs, woodworking jigs (e.g. tapering jig
Tapering jig
A tapering jig is a woodworking jig used to cut a progressively deeper cut along a workpiece usually parallel to the grain.Tapering jigs are often used to create table legs, with the taper usually cut into the two sides of the leg facing the inside of the table...
), welders' jigs, jewelers' jig
Jig (jewellery)
A jig used in making jewelry, a specific type of jig, is a plate or open frame for holding work and helping to shape jewelry components made out of wire or small sheets of metal. A jig in the jewelry making application is used to help establish a pattern for use in shaping the wire or sheets of metal...
s, and many others.
Drill jig
A drill jig is a type of jig that expedites repetitive hole center location on multiple interchangeable partsInterchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
by acting as a template to guide the twist drill or other boring device into the precise location of each intended hole center. In metalworking practice, typically a hardened drill bushing
Drill bushing
A drill bushing, also known as a jig bushing, is a tool used in metalworking jigs to guide cutting tools, most commonly drill bits. Other tools that are commonly used in a drill bushing include counterbores, countersinks, and reamers...
lines each hole on the jig plate to keep the tool from damaging the jig.
Drill jigs started falling into disuse with the invention of the jig borer
Jig borer
The jig borer is a type of machine tool invented at the end of World War I to make possible the quick-yet-very-precise location of hole centers. It was invented independently in the United States and Switzerland...
.
Since the widespread penetration of the manufacturing industry by CNC machine tool
Machine tool
A machine tool is a machine, typically powered other than by human muscle , used to make manufactured parts in various ways that include cutting or certain other kinds of deformation...
s, in which servo
Servomechanism
thumb|right|200px|Industrial servomotorThe grey/green cylinder is the [[Brush |brush-type]] [[DC motor]]. The black section at the bottom contains the [[Epicyclic gearing|planetary]] [[Reduction drive|reduction gear]], and the black object on top of the motor is the optical [[rotary encoder]] for...
controls are capable of moving the tool to the correct location automatically, the need for drill jigs (and for the jobs of the drill press operators who used them) is much less than it previously was.
Different types of Drill jigs:
- Plate jigs or channel jig.
- Angle plate jig.
- Box jig.
- leaf or latch jig.
- Sandwich jig.
- Trunnion jig.
- Jig for multi spindle machines.
- Template jig
- Universal Jig
Elements of Drill jigs
There are many elements which make up the drill jig assembly :- Jig plate.
- Locating elements.
- Clamping elements.
- Drill bushes.
PCB jig
Printed circuit boardPrinted circuit board
A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. It is also referred to as printed wiring board or etched wiring...
(PCB) jigs are used to test PCBs. They have a dump board inside the jig which can find fault in the PCBs.
External links
- Wedge Operated Jig (The Wolfram Demonstrations Project)